USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 57
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BOWMAN JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 30, P.O. Carrollton
Brace Alva O. farmer, Sec. 22, P.O. Carroll- ton
BRACE THADDEUS W. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 22, P.O. Carrollton ; among the wealthier agriculturists of Greene County, who have borne an active part in the stirring scenes of Western life, when to be a farmer or pioneer meant to do without the luxuries of life, and to be fitted to endure the many privations incidental to a Western settlement. Mr. Brace is a na- tive of the State of New York, born in 1820. In 1828, Leonard Brace, the head of the family, a native of New York State, who married Miss Julia Eldred, determin- ed to cast his fortunes in the far west ;. hearing many glowing accounts of Illinois, of its fertility and resources, he set out for his future home, where the family were to play an important part in the growth and development of Greene County. Floating down the Monongahela River, the little party of emigrants landed at Pittsburgh ; from this smoky city, taking passage down the Ohio to a point not learned, they eventually, by taking passage on the Mis- sissippi and Illinois Rivers, arrived at their future home in Greene County. During the Summer, before the family were fairly settled on the broad prairies of Illinois, the husband and father passed to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns. Mrs. Brace found herself at this period the possessor of 200 acres, costing $1,000, paid for, in quarters. The family, then consist- ing of four children, were enabled to some extent to carry on the farm. Mrs. Brace is still living, a true type of the Western women whose noble traits of character have found a worthy notice by the more fa- mous poetical and prose writers. Thad- deus, whose fortunes we now follow, well remembers the early pioneers and their simple mode of living, when all were on
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an equal footing, and linsey wolsey the order of the day. January 12, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Robley, a daughter of Richard Robley, who settled in Greene County as early as 1821. By this marriage three children were born : Alva O., Ella, and Clara. Owing to limited space in this large volume, we are necessarily obliged to be somewhat brief in these our records for futurity. Mr. Brace may truly said to be a representative farmer, who has watched the growth of this county from its earliest date to its present greatness
BRADLEY ABSALOM, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Carrollton. Al- though not among the early settlers of Greene County is worthy of more than a passing notice in this volume ; he was born in Sumner Co., Tennessee, on the 10th of November, 1816; the oldest son of John and Elizabeth Bradley, whose maiden name was Goostree. Remaining a resi- dent of Tennessee until attaining his ma- jority, he then embarked on a prairie schooner for the fertile prairies of Illinois. He was then married, having united his fortunes to Miss Mary Maybery, a daugh- ter of James Maybery, a native of North Carolina. Without entering into particu- lars as to the trip made over a boundless waste of prairie, we note the arrival of the family in Greene County in 1837, locating two miles west of Carrollton, on the farm now owned by Mrs. David Black. In order to show the daring. nature of the pioneer, on his arrival in Greene County he had but seventy-five cents in money wherewith to commence the battle of life; he first worked for ten dollars a month and subse- quently split rails, thereby emulating the example of Honest Old Abe. In 1849 he made his first purchase of land in Greene County, consisting of 40 acres which he subsequently sold and purchased 100; since this time Mr. Bradley has added largely to his property now owning 340 acres of land unequaled in this township. For a period of forty-one years Mr. Bradley has been a resident of this county, and during this time has witnessed many stirring events incident to a western life. In 1845 Mrs. Bradley, who had shared the dangers of a western trip, passed to that world of spirits
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to which we all are tending, leaving to the care of her husband three children, Reuben, Jonathan, and Mary. October 19, 1846, Mr. Bradley united his fortunes to Miss Miralda Mabery, a daughter of Sander Maybery, of Tennessee, by whom he had ten children, seven of whom are living, Zachariah Taylor, Laura Ann, Alice C., Dora E., Eliza F., Maggie E. and Robert E. Further notice will be found in the old settlers record of this volume Bridges Cassius, farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Car- rollton
BRIDGES F. M. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P.O. Carrollton. The sub- ject of this sketch may be truly said to be one of the old settlers of Greene County. Born on the old homestead of his parents, A. W. and Dorlesca Bridges, who were natives of North Carolina and Connecticut respectively. Mrs. Bridges, in all proba- bility, settled in Greene County as early as 1821, and the following year her future husband, for she was then unmarried. As they have long since been gathered to a home not made with hands, their busy eventful life ended forever, we deem it proper to state that like nearly all pioneers on becoming housekeepers, they found themselves in poor circumstances, com- pared to our present mode of living ; still, compared with pioneer days, they were well to do. The youthful couple working early and late soon became, not only good livers, but very comfortably situated in life, who merited the respect of their pioneer friends, who, like themselves, dared the privations of Western life and founded homes in the timber belts or prairie long before Lo was driven to the Pacific ; at an advanced age the old folks passed away amid the scenes of their labors. Of Frank, whose name heads this sketch, it may be said that, in early youth, he followed farming, above the average in point of intelligence ; after taking a course of study at Shurtleff College, he proceeded to Memphis, Mo., where he entered into the mercantile business. Becoming very suc- cessful, his sales footing up to $100,000 a year, in one day sales footing up to the magnificent sum of $1,000 ; while here he married Miss Malena Hudnall, a daughter of Dr. M. L. Hudnall ; by this lady he
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has three children, Archibald, Helen, and Jessie ; three children deceased whose names were Edgar, Nellie, and Ruth. During the Rebellion he traversed the plains for California, thence to Mexico, and thence to South America, and thence to New York ; from the latter city pro- ceeding to St. Louis. On becoming once more a resident of Greene County he pur- chased the property that he now owns, consisting of 225 acres in one of the best townships of Greene County. From 1874 to 1876 Mr. Bridges was our popular sheriff, being elected by a moderate ma- Jority ; a candidate on the Democratic ticket with the Hon. Judge Hodges, they were the only ones obtaining their respect- ive offices. During the present year he became the regular nominee of the Demo- cratic party for the lower House of Repre- sentatives, becoming elected by a large majority
Bridges Ornan, farmer, Sec. 16, P.O. Carroll- ton
BROWN I. T. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 4, P.O. Carrollton. The subject of this sketch, who is well and favorably known for his success as an agriculturist and honorable business man, was born in Greene County in 1846, the fifth child of John and Mary Brown, who dwelt in the confines of Greene County when scarcely a cabin broke the monotony of a broad expanse of prairie. Isaac, from whom this sketch is obtained, became early inured to the hard work that ever attends an early settlement in a new country, receiving a liberal education ; in his twenty-third year he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Jackson, a daughter of William and Nancy ; the marriage of Mr. Brown to Miss Jackson was blessed with three chil- dren, Arthur, deceased, and Allie and Eddie living
BROWN JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 4, P.O. Carrollton. Mr. Brown not only takes a leading position as an agriculturist but ranks among our wealthy pioneers; he was born in Indiana on the Ist of May, 1814. In early infancy his father departed to that bourne from whence no traveler ever returns; disheartened, the mother and her children removed to Kentucky where many years of her life
were spent. During the year 1828, when Illinois was a far western point, Mrs. Brown, in order to give her children a start in the world, migrated to Greene County settling on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch ; here this energetic lady settled down to the hard task of making a com- fortable home. Mrs. Brown was a native of North Carolina. A most kindly woman of large loving sympa- thies and kindly disposition, she merited the respect of her pioneer neighbors. John grew to maturity a hardy youth, possessed of more than ordinary energy ; a hard worker he pushed forward, hope- fully looking forward to a bright future. In his twenty-second year he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Landis, a daughter of Isaac Landis; he was then the owner of 240 acres of improved lands, these com- prised part of the property he now owns. In those primitive days his grist, brought to horse or water mill for grinding necessitated a considerable waste of time. The habits of the pioneer and his family were extremely simple. The neighbors, oftentimes many miles away, when they met at a raising or meeting a friendly greeting was always in order. We now turn to the subject under consideration ; step by step John accrued property and wealth as the county grew older and became more densely populated. A representative of the early pioneer and of the farmer of to-day; he is the owner of 920 acres of valuable land in one of the best townships in the County of Morgan. Of this marriage eight children were born, Frances, Esther A., John L., Jane, Taylor. Mary, and Alice
Burns Wm. farm hand, Sec. 21, P.O. Carroll- ton
Byland Gottlieb, renter, Sec. 19, P.O. Car- rollton
Byland John, farm hand, Sec. 19, P.O. Car- rollton
CAMPBELL CHARLES, renter, Sec, 26, P.O. Carrollton
CAMPBELL DAVID, deceased, who during his life was a farmer within the borders of Greene County ; was born in Tennessee where he followed farming, and here married Miss Edna Taylor, a daughter of Elijah Taylor. When the war came on,
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sorely against his will, Mr. Campbell was conscripted in the service of the South ; obtaining his release he made his way to Greene County, settling in Carrollton, remaining a short time when he became a farmer. He died in 1871, and was laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery of Carroll- ton. Mrs. Campbell, who resides in Greene County, was born in Tennessee in IS26. Of this marriage ten children were born, five of whom are living, Sarah J., Steven O., Charles, Frank, and Wylie who are residents of Greene County
CAMPBELL MRS. EDNA, Sec.
26, P.O. Carrollton
Campbell Thomas, farm hand, Sec. 19, P.O. Carrollton
Carmody Malachi, farmer, Sec. I, P.O. Car- rollton
Carter Charles, farmer, P.O. Carrollton
Carter J. C. farmer, Sec. 3, P.O. Carrollton
Carter James W. renter, Sec. 3, P.O. Carroll- ton
CARTER JAMES W. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. I, P.O. Carrollton. James W. Carter is a native of Kentucky, where he was born on the 25th of April, 1854. His father, John C. Carter, was born in Kentucky ; there followed farming and married, shortly after attaining his major- ity, Miss Jane T. Stanton, of Kentucky, who bore him nine children, Charles F., James W., from whom our sketch is ob- tained, Joseph S., John C., David C., George A., Doctor F., Mary E., and Harry L. Some twenty years ago the family moved to Greene County, Ill., where the head of the family is now a prosperous farmer, and where our subject grew to manhood and received a liberal education. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Mattie King, a daughter of John and Charlotte King; one child blessed this union, William, born in IS78. Mr. Carter is the owner of 160 acres of valuable land, and ranks among our more substantial farmers
Carter Joseph, renter, Sec. 3, P.O. Carrollton Cato Clarence, farm hand, Sec. 20, P.O. Car- rollton
Clauder George, farm hand, Sec. 20, P.O. Carrollton
Clark William, renter, Sec. 27, P.O. Carroll- ton
Clemmons Thomas B. farm and stock raiser, Sec. 33, P.O. Carrollton
Coats Clinton, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6, P.O. Carrollton
Cobb J. M. farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Carrollton Cook George W. renter, Sec. 24, P.O. Car- rollton
Crawford George, farm hand, Sec. 16, P.O. Carrollton
CUNNINGHAM A. M. farmer, Sec. 26 ; P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman, although not ranked among the early residents of this county, is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born in Marion County, Ky., April 16, 1820. Eight children of this family grew to ma- turity, of whom we here append the names : Isabella, Cassandra, William, Richard, Samuel, Andrew, and Ellen. The head of this family, Robert Cunningham, was a native of Pennsylvania. When six years old his parents moved to Kentucky, where he grew to manhood, and married Miss Nancy Beall, a daughter of Richard Beall, of Kentucky. Robert Cunningham was a tanner in Kentucky, where he passed the remainder of life, September, 1856. In 1831, Cassandra Cunningham, wife of Geo. Wright, came to Greene County ; seven years later, A. M. Cunningham made a visit, and in 1841 became a permanent resident, entering land on what was called String Prairie, eleven miles northeast of Carrollton, where he broke prairie and cleared the timber for a home, and built a cabin ; two years later, he married Miss Henrietta Greer, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are living: James M., Nancy J., and Mary E. He first purchased a tract of 200 acres, and from this estate now comes a tract of over 600 acres of well improved land. Mr. Cunningham has been twice mayor of Car- rollton, for many years justice of the peace, and held the position of school treasurer sixteen years
Cunningham J. M. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 26, P.O. Carrollton
CURTIUS L. S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Carrollton. Luman Curtius, who ranks among the more prominent farmers of Greene County, was born in Duchess County, N. Y., on the 18th of May, 1808. Tracing back the genealogy
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TOWN 10, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.
of the family to the extent that our limited space will allow, we find that Nathaniel Curtius, father of him whose name heads this sketch, was a native of Connecticut, a farmer by occupation ; moving to New York State, he there formed the acquaint- ance of and married Miss Mary Stoddard, by whom he had twelve children, of whom Luman S. Curtius was the tenth child. The old folks, after a life of activity and use- fulness, passed to a home not made with hands, in the State of New York ; Mrs. C. died in Greene County. Young Luman remained on a farm until he had arrived at the age of sixteen years, when he moved to New York City, where he became liber- ally educated, and for some time served as writer and collector for Andrew Williams, the well-known Member of Congress, who fitted out the first steamship for California commerce. In 1833, Mr. Curtius made his way to Chicago, then a resort of fur traders and trappers from the East ; the dread disease cholera had advanced to the West ; among hundreds of others, the sub- ject of our notice was attacked. Shortly after his recovery he proceeded South to New Orleans, where he went for the pur- pose of embarking in business; finding trade at a stand still, his liberal education enabled him to reach a high position as a teacher in the Cuvilier College, his powers as a linguist enabling him to secure a com- fortable salary. Misfortune, they say, never comes singly ; no sooner had Mr. Curtius fairly recovered from the effects of the cholera when he was attacked with that Southern malady, yellow fever. His strong constitution enabled him to recover from this often fatal disease. Entering upon the eventful career of a speculator, he became more than ordinarily successful, handling principally grain and hay, Western pro- duce generally. Having accumulated a fortune in 1840, he determined to make the West his future home, and accordingly made his way to Greene County, Ill., where he purchased 620 acres of valuable land, near the city of Carrollton. While here a resident he formed the acquaintance of and married an estimable lady, Miss Ellen Beebe, a daughter of Judge Beebe, of Elkhart, Indiana, who built the first house in Elkhart. Of this marriage nine
children were born, two of whom died in early infancy ; seven are living : Mary, Rosala, Ellen, Luman B., Augustus, Hen- ry, and Caroline. During the year 1870, Mrs. Curtius was laid at rest in the ceme- tery of Carrollton, a worthy monument marking the spot. In 1872, Mr. Curtius united his fortunes to Miss Mary K. Snede- ker, of Jerseyville, a daughter of Isaac Snedeker, of Trenton, N. J. In 1868, Mr. Curtius began the erection of his present magnificent farm residence, unequaled within the borders of Greene County ; further notice will be given in the historical portion of this volume
Curtius Luman B. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Carrollton
DELNOTTE J. E. farmer and stock
raiser, Sec. I, P.O. Berdan. Mr. Del- notte is a native of New Jersey, born in 1843. Motherless at the youthful age of twelve, and his father dying during his seventeenth year, and thus thrown upon his own re- sources at a time when others of like age had the comforts of a home, his was a hard lot for many years. Digressing a little from the subject in hand, John Delnotte, the father, was born in Mercer County, Ky., on the 16th of May, 1809; on attain- ing his majority he for a short time be- came a resident of Indiana, finding a lo- cation in Greene County as early as 1832; afterward a resident of Christian County, he there passed the remainder of his life in 1863 ; his wife, whose maiden name was Curry, a most estimable lady, departed this life in 1856. John, who heads this notice, passed his boyhood in Greene County, fol- lowing agricultural pursuits ; in 1870 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Pinkerton, a daughter of James M. Pink- erton, by whom he has two children : James M., and Wm. E.
DODGSON DAVID, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 4, P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman, whose life career in Greene County has been more than ordin- arily successful, is the oldest now living of a family of twelve children. The head of the family, Peter Dodgson, was a native of Yorkshire, England, who departed from the scenes of childhood in his fourteenth year for the broad shores of the New World.
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In Greene County, where the family locat- ed, he grew to maturity ; of more than or- dinary promise, indeed of marked ability, and of deep religious convictions, he ac- complished much good in the long busy life allotted to him, a cotemporary with such talented men as Peter Cartwright, and others. Like them he became noted for his earnest Christian piety, kindly disposi- tion, and native talent. His wife was Miss Jane Brown, a most estimable lady, of ex- cellent Christian character and kindness of heart, who is still living, a resident of township 10, range 12; her husband long since passed away to a home not made with hands; all that is mortal now rests in Hopewell Cemetery, a handsome and worthy monument marking the spot. David Dodgson inherited the hardy vigor of his ancestors, and grew up a stout, healthy youth ; at twenty-three, in 1854, he united his fortunes to Miss Sarah Chinn, by whom he had seven children ; five liv- ing, whose names are: Leonard P., Alice J., Wm. P., Carrie B., Edgar D ; deceased, Laura A., and Sarah C. On the 29th of March, 1872, Mrs. Dodgson departed this life, finding a last resting place in the ceme- tery of Hopewell ; August 31, 1877, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elizabeth Goode, relict of George Goode, and a daughter of Ezekiel Edwards; as more than a passing notice is given of Mr. Dodgson in the general history of this work, in closing this brief statement it may be said that it very rarely happens that even among our Illinois farmers few develop the surprising energy of him who heads this sketch, and whose success in life is rarely equaled ; the owner of nearly 500 acres, he takes rank as a leading agricul- turist
Dodgson O. farmer, Sec. 4, P.O. Carrollton Dulan Michael, renter, Sec. 27, P.O. Carroll- ton
DUNFORD JAMES, farmer and stock
raiser, Sec. 5, P.O. Carrollton. James Dunford is a gentleman of Celtic origin, born in the County of Limerick, Ireland. in 1828 ; he was the second of a family of fifteen children. The head of the family, Patrick Dunford, married in Ireland Miss Mary Fitzgerald, who was the mother of the fifteen children mentioned above.
James remained a resident of Ireland until his twenty-fifth year, when he crossed the Father of Waters for America. Landing in the City of New York November 26, 1853, almost penniless, but possessed of the natural ability of his race, he looked about him for the means of a livelihood. From the great Metropolitan city he made his way to Kentucky, where he became em- ployed for a short time on the Big Sandy Railroad ; thence to Virginia, where he en- tered the employ of. a railroad company there ; in 1856, he located in Calhoun and Greene Counties ; two years later, while a resident of Chicago, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah White, by whom he has eight children, six girls and two sons. After his marriage he rented property for a number of years, when he purchased the property now owned by him, consisting of 250 acres, in township 10, range 12. Thus, by industry, the emigrant of long years ago has acquired a competence. Like nearly all of his race, his generosity and kindness of heart is unbounded
Dunford John, farmer, Sec. 5, P.O. Carroll- ton
Dunfrey John P. renter, Sec. 10, P.O. Car- rollton
Dunn Minas, farm hand, P.O. Carrollton
Dunsworth John P. renter, Sec. Io, P.O. Car- rollton
Dunsworth Michael, farm hand, Sec. Io, P.O. Carrollton
FARL BOOKER, renter, Sec. 8, P.O. Carrollton
Early Asbury, renter, Sec. 18, P.O. Carrollton EDMONDS THOMAS W. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 23, P.O. Carrollton. Mr. Edmonds is a native of Urbana, Cham- paign County, Ohio ; born on the 12th of April, I811 ; he was not five years of age when his parents, Sanford and Elizabeth Edmonds, moved to Kentucky, there re- maining four years, when they returned to Ohio, where Thomas became apprenticed to the trade of a cabinet maker; serving his apprenticeship he became a skillful workman, and was soon transacting a suc- cessful business as proprietor of an estab- lishment of his own. While a resident of Cleremont, Ohio, he united his fortunes to Miss Sarah Wood, on the 17th of January,
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TOWN 10, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.
1832. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Ed- monds turned his attention to the buying and shipping of horses to the city of New Orleans. On one occasion, having dis- posed of a drove at a handsome profit, ex- changing paper currency for silver, the steamer McFarland, on board of which he was a passenger, was run into by the Danube; the loss of life was great, and during the struggle for life the money here- tofore mentioned sunk beneath the waters of the Mississippi ; fortunately Mr. E. reached the shore in safety, during the dead hours of night, the circumstances surrounding the accident for many years remaining vividly impressed upon his memory. Mov- ing to Indiana in 1840, Mr. E. turned his attention principally to his trade, that of cabinet making, although the Father of Waters still had its allurements, and he afterwards made other voyages to New Or- leans. In 1862 Mr. Edmonds determined to make Greene County his future home, and accordingly, accompanied by his fam- ily, located in township 10, range 13, where a farm of 320 acres were purchased, and here he transacted a successful agricultural business until his removal to Carrollton, during the Spring of 1874. The total farm property of Mr. E. comprises 400 acres, and he ranks among the most suc- cessful farmers of Greene County. In 1842 he was deputy sheriff of Shelby County, Ind. The marriage above referred to was blessed with five children : Orange W., Thomas E., Francis C., Joseph S. and Mary E., deceased. Note the Anglo-Saxon Edmunds is interpreted defender of prop- erty. Observing, however, so great apti- tude for mechanics in our family that even those farmers who have not learned a trade are accustomed to do much of their own carpenter work, I deduce the name Ed- munds from the Latin ed mundus, which signifies master builder. Let every man so honorably entitled, build well and surely Egleson James, renter, Sec. 35, P.O. Carroll- ton
ELDRED ELISHA, farmer and stock
raiser, Sec. 32, P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman is a native of Greene County ; born during the eventful year that ushered in the deep snow, so vividly impressed upon the memory of the
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